To Dye For

Mortician Murders #1

by Greta Boris

Imogene’s client has a special request. The only hitch is, the client is dead.

It was a dying wish, according to Imogene’s boss at Harry’s Hair Stop, and she needs the money. But when she arrives at Greener Pastures to get her client ready for her funeral, strange things happen. Imogene discovers her client’s death, just like her hair color, wasn’t as natural as everyone thought.

If you can imagine Agatha Raisin as a twenty-something, rockabilly, ex-hairstylist with a weird connection to the dead, this book is for you.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Paranormal, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Suspense, Supernatural

189 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2022

About the author

Greta Boris is the USA Today Bestselling author of The Mortician Murders, a paranormal suspense series, and The Almost True Crime Series, a psychological suspense series.

She’s also co-founder of The Author Wheel -
https://www.authorwheel.com - publishers of books, courses, and a podcast dedicated to helping authors overcome their roadblocks and keep their stories rolling.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable light mystery with a smidge of romance. Our heroine doesn't know there's a romance here, but her potential guy is the truest definition of a himbo/golden retriever. A bit dumb, very handsome, and loyal to the extreme.

This was fun.

I'm not a big fan of hot mess heroines but still enjoyed her enough.

[Lise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imogene Lynch struggles. Her love life is washed up. Her career is in shambles. And she lives with her grandmother. When she's asked to do the final hair and makeup for an aged client, she reluctantly makes her way to the mortuary not knowing the utter chaos she's going to land in.

To Dye For was one of those books that caused me to hold back. I really wanted to guzzle it up; it was so tasty. But, luckily, life forced a staggered reading and I was able to enjoy this treasure for more than just one massive session. I should point out that I normally only award 5 stars for life-changing stories, but this one was such pure entertainment, it deserved even more. This was not a book to read in public: my chuckles, guffaws and outright belly-laughs would probably have disturbed other people. Instead, I read in private where I could let go and enjoy the story.

The characters were rich and perfectly drawn. Imagine being asked to describe a friend and you come out with "She's nice. She's a good person." In your head, there's so much more swirling about and you can't find the words to express all the traits you want to expound upon. Greta Boris finds the words. I felt as though I knew these characters in real life, though to be honest, some of them would not be friends.

As for the mystery, well... I had it figured out fairly early on. I knew who the murderer was and why. I knew nothing! I was wrong. So terribly wrong. What a rush! "Ha ha!" I told my smug little brain - "she fooled you good!" I'm not mad, just overwhelmed.

This is a cosy lover's dream. A well-written story with sympathetic characters and a mystery that takes much unravelling to solve. So highly recommended.


Thank you, Greta Boris, for the chance to read this ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.

[Lea Setegn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a Paranormal Book - False Advertising!

This is a fun murder mystery, but it is an extreme stretch to call it paranormal. There are no ghosts, no psychic abilities, or anything you would associate with the paranormal. I hit 85% of the book and just gave up hoping for it. The main character has maybe four VERY low-key experiences that could cause the reader to take a guess that MAYBE she’s experiencing something paranormal. But that’s NOT a paranormal novel or story. Honestly, I wouldn’t even be peeved about it if the word “paranormal” wasn’t in the title, because that’s the reason the Facebook ad marketed it to me. It was a fun mystery but don’t expect anything else. The author NEEDS to change the subtitle.

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprise. I really liked this one. It was funny, quirky, and not to full of itself. Overall a pretty great read

[Vickie Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strange mystery.

[Annette Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

great plot, funny sleuthing.

I enjoyed each character so much, some of the characters show you just how much you can’t judge a book by its cover. Rare (once?) profanity, completely clean in all areas otherwise.
Have some good fun and read this truly delightful story.

[Theresa Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a great opening line to the final pages, this is a wonderful read. It's been a long time since I found myself unable to put a book down, but this cleverly plotted novel kept me turning the pages.

To Dye For, by Great Boris, is the first in the Mortician Murders series, and I can't wait for the next one. Imogene Lynch is a twenty-something hairstylist who spends most of her days and nights surrounded by people who are several decades her senior. It's not an ideal arrangement, but it does give her a certain amount of empathy for the older crowd. When she agrees to do the hair and makeup of a favorite (recently deceased) client, a series of unexpected events is set in motion. This book has a unique premise, a great plot, and likeable characters.

I received an advanced copy of this book and am providing my unbiased review.

[Michael Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imogene (Genie) Lynch is a 26-year-old hair stylist, living (against the rules) with her grandmother in a retirement community, because she can’t afford to live elsewhere. Her clientele are mostly elderly women, and her social life is non-existent. When Trudy, her favorite customer, died, her dying wish was for Genie to fix her hair and makeup for the funeral viewing. This request initiates changes for Genie’s whole life. When she touches Trudy’s hair, Genie feels an energy discharge which forms a connection with Trudy’s spirit, leaving her with a sense that the death was not from natural causes. She runs into Elmore (El) Brown, the mortuary’s handsome night watchman, who is presently studying Forensics, and who wants to help her identify the possible murderer. Suddenly, there is an increase in local murders, which keeps Genie and El in constant contact to solve the cases.
I happened upon Greta Boris’ work via comments made around a multi-author giveaway. In her newsletter, Ms. Boris was looking for advance review readers, so I applied. I was very pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed what I was reading. Her writing is very descriptive, her characters are everyday people, with a very engaging story line. She included several twists and turns, which kept me guessing right to the end. I really enjoyed this book, and this review is my honest opinion – I wound up purchasing a copy to support this very good author. I intend to read more of Ms. Boris’ books.

[Rosie Bray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imogene is not your average hair stylist, she lives with her grandmother in a gated community and styles up a storm at Harry's Hair Stop, where her clientele are more blue rinse than high fashion. But Liberty Grove is a hotbed of intrigue, love triangles and maybe a murder mystery to spice things up. Imogene is requested to do the hair and make up for one of her clients, nothing special there except the client is dead. Something happens when she's at Greener Pastures and Imogene then wonders whether the death was as natural as had been first thought. Add to the mix the handsome El, night watchman for Greener Pastures, who's hoping to pursue a career in law enforcement.

I really enjoyed this novel, there was something very appealing about the storyline, the setting among a community of seniors and the intrigues that spilled out. Imogene was a likeable character, and I loved the subtle way that her relationship with El developed over the course of the novel. I'm looking forward to more books in this series.

I received this novel as an ARC from the author and am submitting my honest review

[Lina Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

To make it very clear - I enjoyed this book and gave it and the sequel 5 stars where it counts i.e. on Amazon.
The characters are lifelike, the story premise is cool (haven't seen many morticians in the cozy mysteries), and there's plenty of well-written action. I got this one as a freebie from Fussylibrarian and went to buy the second one.
So, why only four stars?
Well, I so DIDN'T appreciate buying the second book - only to find out there was a novella in between the two, which bridged the gap. And to get it, I had to sign up to be in the author's community. I then received a newsletter, which I unsubscribed from,--only to receive another mail with details on how the community works. I had to unsubscribe from that as well.
Dear Ms. Boris - you don't win readers like that. I felt coralled and harrassed on top of being really annoyed while reading number 2, wondering the whole time where I missed the plot. Reader magnets are bonus material, period. Hard-selling is dangerous. In my case it means I've stopped reading this - admittedly so far excellent series.
Was that the intention?

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Dye For, the first book in The Mortician Murders, is a great start to the series. Hair stylist Imogene Lynch caters to the older generation. Trudy has requested her services to do her hair and makeup for her last public appearance. When Imogene arrives to take care of Trudy, strange things occur….so much so, that with the aid of El, the night watchman studying to be a police officer, they take a sample of her hair. What they find out is that the death was definitely not accidental, but who would want to murder such a sweet, wonderful woman. And what Imogene learns is that she has a gift. She knows how people have died by touching their hair. When they investigate the residents of Liberty Grove, Imogene and El will find that not all is as it should be. Someone is killing its residents. Greta Boris has given us a wonderful, twisted murder mystery. I look forward to more in what will surely be a great series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Andrea J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greta Boris, author of the psychological mysteries The Seven Deadly Murder series, has a new set of characters in The Mortician Murders beginning with her newest book To Dye For. She has woven humor and mystery into the story as we follow the adventures, and misadventures, with the very likable Imogene Lynch as she expands her career as a hair stylist of mainly senior citizens to a stylist for corpses in preparation for their funerals. Along the way there is the very attractive Elmore “El” Leonard Brown who entices and involves Imogene in his efforts to solve some very interesting murders.
Greta is so good in her descriptions of both the characters appearances and their surroundings they create great visualizations which make her stories that much more enjoyable. Humor is definitely abundant throughout which at times had me laughing out loud. But the story is captivating and kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. This is going to be as great and amazing a series as The Seven Deadly Murders. Thank you, Greta.

[Allison Valentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely cosy murder mystery.
Imogen lives in a seniors community with her grandmother (where she isn't supposed to be) and loves being a hairdresser but unfortunately most of her clients are also senior citizens.
When Trudy her favourite client suddenly passes away and leaves a message for Imogen to make her look good after death, Imogen is reluctant to do so but agrees.
After arriving at the mortuary of Greener Pastures and left alone with Trudy strange things start to happen and Imogen freaks out and runs into El the security guard.
After Trudy's funeral everyone remarked how beautiful she was and that Imogen is a miracle worker.
But there was a downside because her clients stop using her just in case she was jinxed!
With hardly any work and Trudy's death playing on her mind she decides with the help of El to look into her death.
Little did she know what she uncovers could lead to a serial killer!

[ANDRES CORTES · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unexpected truly enjoyable book. Hair stylist Imogene Lynch gets task by her boss in n styling the hair and doing the makeup of one of her customers (Trudy) who has died of apparent natural causes. However ,when it gets to doing the job unusual things happen to the point Imogene feels Trudy is sending her a message even thought she is dead. El, the watchman and detective apprentice, convinces her to collect a hair sample from Trudy at the funeral. They discover Trudy has been overdosed with a heart medicine digoxin. Although Imogene is reluctant to investigate upon El's insistence they both start looking for suspects, motives and opportunities. The book is very well written and the characters are fantastic and quirky. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book which will keep you guessing. There are interesting twists and turns and the actual culprit will surprise you. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book! There are really some fun characters in this book, and a scary one too! Imogene is a hair stylist for a mostly elderly clientele, and gets a little down as they keep dying, the latest a friend and good customer, Trudy. She’s a little freaked out to get a request from the funeral home to do Trudy’s hair and makeup for the last time, but she agrees as a final favor for Trudy. What she didn’t realize was that her salon clients wouldn’t be comfortable having their hair done by the person who did hair for a mortuary! She lives with her Gran in a retirement community and is trying to get a place of her own, and the decrease in customers hurts. She meets the night guard at the mortuary, El, and he is convinced that Trudy’ death wasn’t natural, and together they begin investigating. A fun and often funny cozy that I really enjoyed. I received a free copy of this book from the author and write this review voluntarily.

[JBee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever and tasteful murder mystery that involves squeamish and fascinating topics such as morgues and cadavers. I really enjoy how the story is told from Imogene’s, the main characters, point of view - she is a hair stylist who as she becomes a funeral cadaver stylist awakens to some emerging psychic skills - all of this and we are privy to her thoughts and feelings as she maneuvers her way through. This mystery packs a lot into the engaging storyline with an interesting twist leading to the murderer - I never guessed! Also, I love clever phrases and this author delivers in her writing style - for example “eyelashes batted as fast as a hummingbird’s wings when he was around….” and “….don’t be too open minded or all your brains will leak out.” Plain delicious reading! I am looking forward to the next installment!!

[Philip Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two young people join forces to see why elderly people have died - 4 stars

This is more of a cozy mystery than I expected. The main character, Genie Lynch, narrates as she works in a beauty salon and lives with her grandmother in southern California.

I started to feel like family as the story unfolded. It is a bit of a stretch that a twenty-six-year-old woman would have such a high comfort level with the retiree set. But after one of her lively customers has died of an apparent heart attack, she steps up and does a superlative job, making Trudy look good.

The downside of working for a funeral parlor is that Genie's still-living customers are afraid that she might be an omen.

Follow the clues and the gossip to find the real mystery. Don't be afraid of "death valley", the insider's term for the basement of the mortuary.

[Brian Lobodzinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amusing 'Who Done It' with supernatural undertones which just beg to be developed. Combine this with love and jealousy among young and old and you have a nice witches brew of fun. The story flows along nicely leaving you guessing at the eventual outcome. Given that its a new series you don't expect the heroine to die but I would have liked her to have a few more 'hair raising' experiences more than being worried about her cash flow. I particularly like her being 'Grim Reapers Little Sister' and look forward to the reaper's humorous involvement in later novels. This might add additional spice to future stories. The introduction of 'Killer Chorkie' sounds like a nice thing for her to adopt later to give additional woes to her life if he's developed as a medium. If I've got you intrigued then hopefully it might give you an incentive to read the nice easy read.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turning, Fun new series with great characters and lots of quirks, twists and turns and surprises. Our main character is Imogen a 26 year old hair stylist who lives with her grand mother in a retirement community although she's not supposed too. Well, most of her hair styling clients just happen to be seniors. When her favorite client, Trudy dies and Imogen is tasked with doing the hair at the mortuary strange things happen. Things that even freaks Imogen out. And she is sure Trudy did not die of natural causes and when she touches her hair, she gets spooked! She runs out into the mortuary guard, El and teams up to figure out what is going on! With lots of twists and turns and red-herrings we are taken through a wonderful first book in a very promising series. I received and ARC but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Mike Kanner · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I was not looking for something to distract me from the 100-degree heat and the fires that make doing anything outside unbearable (AQI over 150), I would probably not have finished it.

First, it was advertised as a paranormal novel, but there are only 2 brief incidents that hint at the paranormal. Otherwise, it is a cozy mystery.

Second, the characters aren't very interesting. The female MC meets all the standard tropes - quirky, a tragedy in her life, lives with or leans on someone besides parent, makes bad choices with men. The male MC has little to no backstory and only one dimension - the loyal supporter. The female MC accepts his behavior, even though any woman would have questioned whether his intrusions (getting the keys to her apartment, redecorating it based on what he wanted) would have counted as helpful or controlling.

[Randi Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I met Imogene in Mortuary School, which actually takes place after this book, so it was nice to see what led her to Mortuary School. Imogene felt different in this book. She had a bit of Kinsey Milhoan vibe to me. A recently single beautician living with her mother in a senior citizen condo, she is trying to find a way to make enough money to get a place of her own. When one of her clients dies and her services are required to make the woman look good for the hereafter a whole new avenue opens for her but she is not sure if she wants to go down that road. What follows is a murder mystery with some humor and great characters. Thanks to Ms Boris for giving me a copy of this book. I look forward to reading more about Imogene.

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imogene is a hair stylist that gets a weird request. One of her clients had requested her to fix her hair for her funeral. Scared, but needing the money, she accepts the request and goes to the mortuary. She gets a weird vibe while doing the hair. She talks to El, the security guard, who is taking classes to become a police officer. The two of them discuss how weird it was that a healthy lady has died from a heart attack. One things lead to another and they suspect fowl play. Follow along as the two of them piece together clues and alibis to discover who the murderer was and why. This is the first book in a new exciting series with well developed characters. Looking forward to the next story.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Dye For: A Mortician Murder is book #1 in The Mortician Murders series by Greta Boris.

Imogene is does hair and makeup and when I client passes away, her final wish is for Imogene to do her hair and makeup. Imogene wants her own apartment so she accepts the job which sets off a series of events including meeting a handsome night watchman.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but I really enjoyed it. Imogene and El make a good team even though he isn’t her type. I loved the twists and turns of their investigation. I can’t wait to see what is next for Imogene.

Thank you to the author for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Megan Cutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure this paranormal mystery is actually paranormal. I'll have to read another to see if it actually qualifies. It hints, but nothing is actually confirmed.

Imogene is a hair stylist who is having a career crisis. She lives with her grandmother, has no money, and needs to grow up and move out. When she takes a gig making up a dead former hair client, Trudy, at the local mortuary, her career hits an all-time low. Night guard and prospective law enforcement officer, Elmore, El, thinks Trudy was murdered and the two of them start investigating. El is super enthusiastic, but Imogene is very reluctantly pulled in.

This one is super cute and engaging with great characters. I also did not guess the ending, which is rare. Great book if you like funny, cozy mysteries.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a way to start a new series! To Dye For: A Mortician Murder is the first book of the series The Mortician Murders, and if the series continues as good as this one it will be a hit.

I laugh a lot with this book and enjoyed the fun personality of the main characters, especially Imogene, she truly gets into lets say "deadly situations" and without meaning to becomes a detective trying to solve the mystery of the dead seniors of Liberty Grove.

I liked the character development and the writing and how Imogene evolves from the beginning of the book until the end of it.
I'm looking forward to reading the following book in the series.

[Emmy McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imogene is a 26 year old hair stylist that lives in a Senior community with her Grandmother. One of her clients Trudy, passed away and she was requested to do her hair and make up for the viewing. Imogene wasn't happy about this, but, it paid well and she wanted to get her own place and this money would help. I have to say, her experience in the morgue made me laugh. While she was there, she met El, the night guard, they experienced some strange things with Trudy and they became partner in their mission. Did Trudy die naturally of was she murdered. What happens next makes for a great cozy mystery with a few chuckles along the way.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Dye For: A Paranormal Mortician Murder Mystery (The Mortician Murders Book 1), my second read from author Greta Boris. After reading Mortuary School: A Mortician Mystery I knew I had to read more from her and this read did not disappoint. I got this book back in October of 2022 and I'm finally reading it. “I received a free Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author with Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: A Ghostly Mortician Murder Mystery (The Mortician Murders Book 2) already on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging and entertaining cozy mystery. Senior citizens galore. Our lovely protagonist lives with her grandmother in a senior community. Most of her customers at the hair salon are seniors. She then connects with a mortuary. Where are the younger people? There are a few: an ex-boyfriend, his new girlfriend, and a new male friend. I am not complaining. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this tale. I am looking forward to reading the further adventures of Imogene. The author provided an advance reader copy. I am giving a voluntary review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imogene is an interesting young woman who's life revolves around elderly people.  Her boss at the salon she works at asks her to do the hair of one of her elderly clients who just died. She hesitates but decides to honour her clients wishes. When doing Trudy's hair at the mortuary she meets El the night watchman.  



What starts out as a simple hair and makeup job turns into a mystery.  Did Trudy die of natural causes or not?  Can El and Imogene solve this mystery?


This is book one in what promises to be a great series. 

[Kristina Trawick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hairdresser shenanigans

When hairdresser Imo gene is tasked with doing the making up and hair on the corpse of a newly deceased client, her life is turned upside down. She loses clients, breaks a toe, is attacked by a vicious pocket dog, and that's just the normal stuff.
This was a fun read. A touch of weirdness, some laughs and a dandy twist at the end. I have to add, so many of the cosies I have read recently are really poorly edited. This book was smooth as satin, and I really appreciate it.